Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial named a Top Rural Hospital in U.S.FREMONT– For the third time in four years, Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial was named a Top Rural Hospital by The Leapfrog Group in a national ranking that focuses on safety and quality outcomes.The Leapfrog Top Rural Hospital recognition is widely acknowledged as one of the most competitive honors U.S. hospitals can receive. The Top Hospital designation is awarded by The Leapfrog Group, an independent hospital watchdog organization.Gerber Memorial was one of 118 U.S. hospitals in 24 states to receive Leapfrog’s Top Hospital recognition, and one of 17 in the Top Rural Hospitals category. In addition to 2018, Gerber Memorial was recognized as a Top Rural Hospital in 2015 and 2016. “Being recognized as a Top U.S. Rural Hospital for the third time since 2015 is a reflection of our commitment and our culture of excellence. Our hardworking, dedicated staff put the safety and wellbeing of patients and the families we serve front and center every day,” said Randy Kelley, president, Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial Hospital. “The credit goes to the entire staff at Gerber Memorial, who aim to go above and beyond for our patients from the time a patient walks through our front door to their discharge and follow-up care.”Performance across many areas of hospital care is considered in establishing the qualifications for the award, including infection rates, maternity care, and the hospital’s capacity to prevent medication errors. The rigorous standards are defined in each year’s Top Hospital Methodology.“Being acknowledged as a Top Hospital is an incredible feat achieved by less than 6 percent of eligible hospitals nationwide,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “With this honor, Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial has established its commitment to safer and higher quality care. Providing this level of care to patients in Newaygo County and beyond requires motivation and drive from every team member. I congratulate the board, staff and clinicians whose efforts made this honor possible.”To qualify for the Top Hospitals distinction, hospitals must submit a Leapfrog Hospital Survey and achieve highest performance in its category. The selection of Top Hospitals 2018, announced Tuesday, Dec. 4, is based on surveys from nearly 1,900 hospitals. To see the full list of institutions honored as 2018 Top Hospitals, visit www.leapfroggroup.org/tophospitals.